Welcome to Green Style, a daily series that shows you how to make your wardrobe more environmentally friendly — all without sacrificing your personal look.

You may balk at a $400-plus price point for footwear, but you shouldn't. Investing now means you'll have a pair of shoes with a decade of life or more — much cheaper for you in the long run than buying and replacing a dozen pairs of cheaper shoes. And it's not just friendly to your wallet; it's good for the environment, and you'll support better labor practices, as well.

"Buying inexpensive footwear usually means you're investing in unjust labor conditions — those cheap shoes aren't made in the best of environments, let alone made with good materials," sustainability specialist Christopher Gavigan of the Honest Company points out. "Look for a good leather shoe that has a hard leather sole and is made from a sustainable source, and spend at least $200 to $400. Spend at least 100% more than you think you should, because you're going to get 200% more out of them."

High-end classic lines include Church's, Allen Edmonds, and Alden, a New England family-owned business making fine footwear since 1884. Of course, quality craftsmanship doesn't demand decades of heritage. Oak Street Bootmakers, a young brand out of Chicago, hand-makes their shoes and boots one pair at a time in the USA, with either Goodyear welted or true moccasin construction, plus hearty leather designed to last 10 to 15 years. Gavigan covets their Natural Cap-Toe Trench Boot, listed at $426.00.

But if you really want to make a big impact, go custom-made. Of course, bespoke options will run you a much prettier penny — as in, thousands of dollars. British line Edward Green offers bespoke work starting at $2800, while John Lobb checks in at $3600 (though they do give you a discount if you order two pairs). Pricey, yes. But it's easily justified if you can make room in your budget.

Says Gavigan, "Going custom is the ultimate because not only are you getting something made specifically for you, but it's low-waste, hand-made and high-quality — everything you want in sustainable footwear. And the company is only making as much as is being asked for, which means minimal environmental impact."